Maxs Pov

When I wake in the morning, the room is bright. Too bright and extremely quiet. I immediately sit up and check the time on the clock placed on the nightstand beside me; 12:43.

Shit.

I slept in too late. By now everyone's probably awake and someone's bound to see me walking out of Fang's room and will assume events took place between the two of us that are so far from the truth. Hell, Gazzy already saw us once and jumped to conclusions, I don't think I could even attempt to explain a second time.

I sigh and look around the room again. Something's off. It just occurs to me that Fang's no longer in the bed. Maybe there is some hope then. Maybe he left before any of them woke up and no one will even question it.

I get up from the bed and make my way slowly down the hall and out to the living room but no one's around; just a TV blaring annoying pop music. The smell of bacon hangs in the air and I follow the source, leading me back into the kitchen.

I find everyone gathered around the table, eating, talking, laughing.

"Look who finally rolled out of bed." Iggy's the first to notice me. "Sit. Gazzy and I made breakfast."

I slip behind Angel and Nudge's seats to the back of the table where the only empty seat remains. Next to Fang, diagonal from Iggy.

Judging from the dampness in Fang's limp hair and the new attire, I'm guessing he's been up for a while. He has to of been if he's showered and changed his clothes already.

Maybe no one saw us after all.

"When did you leave," I whisper, as I reach across Fang to get some eggs.

"Right when you passed out." He smiles, knowing what I'm really asking. "No one saw. Don't worry."

Why didn't he sleep in the room? There was plenty of room in that queen bed for the both of us. It's much better than that hard couch. And it's not like Fang's never slept next to a girl does it fairly often. If anything I should of been the one to feel awkward.

But more so I just kinda feel bad for stealing his bed.

"You really slept on the couch after we agreed you wouldn't?"

"No. I slept with Iggy," he assures me. "Gazzy stayed out all night with some girl he refuses to tell us about so I stayed in the other twin bed."

Gazzy actually met a girl?

I haven't even heard of Gazzy talking to a girl.

Ever.

—

After breakfast, everyone heads into the living room. I slip away to the bedroom instead and take this alone time as my chance to call Ella. I haven't talked to her for a few days and I miss her.

The phone rings and rings before finally ending with an automated voice message system.

I'm not surprised she didn't answer; She's probably busy doing bonding stuff with Caden's mom or more likely still sleep but I'm still a little upset. I wanna know how it's been so far with Caden's parents and how they are and if they like her.

Oh well. Maybe she'll call back later.

A faint three-tap knock echos on the door as it slowly inched open. A goofy-looking blonde guy slips his head through the crack, eyes closed.

"Are you decent? If so, I will open my eyes. If not I will open them even faster."

"You're so disgusting!" I yell, launching a pillow at him. "Yes I'm have clothes on Iggy."

"Damn it," he sighs, opening his eyes and entering the room. The door clicks shut behind him.

He makes his way over to the bed and plops down next to me on his stomach.

"What are you doing in here all alone?"

"Trying to call Ella." I motion to my phone in hand.

"No answer?"

"Nope." Unfortunately. "She's probably busy with Caden though so."

Iggy rolls his eyes. "Don't even mention his name. Its as of now a sin to speak of him."

I can't help but laugh a little. I can tell by his tone of voice that he's completely serious and I guess that's what makes it funny. Iggy only likes Ella because he thinks she's cute. He doesn't know anything about her, unlike Caden, and doesn't take the hints that she wants nothing to do with him.

"There's so many girls out there and you want the only one that you can't get? Actually never mind, that's probably exactly why you like her. Because she's a challenge to you."

"Huh… now that I think about it you may be on to something."

"Exactly. And as soon as you hypothetically get her you will get bored and move on with someone new. You're a man hoe Iggy, not a relationship guy, which is fine for you because there's a lot of girls who just want that but not Ella. She's a relationship girl and should be with someone like Caden who wants long term."

He thinks it over to himself for a minute then sighs.

"Fine. I'll stop pursuing her… on one condition."

I can already tell that I'm gonna regret answering him... No deal with Iggy is ever a good.

"What," I reply hesitantly.

"Go out with me tonight."

"Iggy when I said find someone new I didn't mean me!"

"Nooo," he laughs. "I don't mean like a date, I mean come out with me tonight and help me find someone."

Help Iggy find a girl? I've never really been a good wing woman, nor do I want to be one. It's awkward and I'm really not into romantic-y stuff.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because then I leave your friend alone, I find a new girl to place my interest into and who knows maybe you'll find someone new and stop ending up in Fang's bed every night."

"Gazzy told you?"

I knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Gazzy? What does he have to do with any of this?" He looks honestly confused. "Last night when we got home, I came in here to talk to Fang and ask him why he left so early and saw you taking up the entire bed and Fang on the very edge so I told him he could come sleep with me."

So now not only Gazzy knows but also Iggy? Next think I know the whole schools gonna be hearing about it and think there's something going on when it's far from that. I really hate that a guy and a girl can't be friends and hang out and share a bed without someone thinking something's going on between them.

"I didn't know you guys were…"

I immediately object. "We're not. Fang and I are no different than how you and Fang are. Just friends and sharing a bed was nothing more than just for comfort. You should know that better than anyone, Iggy. You and I shared a bed the one time you guys raided my room and insisted on staying the night and it was just friendly."

"That's true, never thought about that," he nods. "I'm glad there's nothing going on though. Fangs a great friend but not a very good boyfriend or whatever the girls he hooks up with refer to him as. Plus I hate third wheeling and now you can be my wing woman with no excuses!"

I feel like pretending to be Fangs fake girlfriend might of been easier than telling the truth and having to play Iggy's matchmaker for a day. Why didn't I think this one through?

"What time do we leave and where?"

"Mall, six-o'clock." He leans over and pulls me into a bear. "Thank you in advance for being my wing woman. In return I promise free food and or clothing items of your choice."

I roll my eyes and push him off of me. "You better get your debit card ready because I'm in the mood for enough food to max out your account."

He chuckles a little before crawling off of the bed and making his was towards the door. "I expect nothing less of you. Now if you excuse me, I gotta go get ready, there's a few things I have to shave first."

"I'm going to throw up, I did not need to know that!" I exclaim as he exits the room.

What did I sign myself up for? And is it too late to get out of it?

Iggy plus shaving does not sound like a good ending for Max.